China promises clean energy surge in 2013

Date

06 March 2013

BEIJING: China has promised to slash carbon emissions and energy use, and step up plans for a carbon trading program in 2013, following record air pollution in Beijing.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) submitted the report on 2013’s clean energy and emission reduction plans to the 12th National People’s Congress in Beijing, where Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo delivered his final address as Premier.

The report outlines plans for cap and trade pilots as well as measures to cut emissions and energy use per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by over 3.7% in 2013.

China plans to amp up installed clean energy capacity to a total of 42.24 million kilowatts in 2013, by adding 21 million kilowatts of hydropower, 10 million kilowatts of solar and 18 million kilowatts of wind energy.

The NDRC’s report said that in 2012, China added 15 gigawatts of wind energy and 3 gigawatts of solar, far exceeding its energy-saving targets.

Changhua Wu, Greater China Director, The Climate Group, said: “As Premier Wen Jiabao delivers his final address, it is time to look forward; and these energy and emissions targets will likely be met in 2013. As China’s recently announced set of new green taxation policies and world-leading wind power market in 2012 attest, it is evident that China’s new leadership will have to put the clean revolution at the front and center of their work if they are to bring China’s cities out of pollution and into the future.

"We will need much more than promises from our next premier: we will need tangible, ambitious and bold climate action to fundamentallytransform the Chinese economy.”